An Addiction is An Addiction is intended to inform individuals and families how addictions are part of all families. If you are not sure if you have an addiction read this book. If you this some one in your family have an addiction read this book. If you just like reading read this book.

AN ADDICTION

Is An AddictionBy Lynetta

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Lynetta
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4685-0114-8

Chapter One

WHAT IS AN ADDICTION?

There is controversy over what constitutes an addiction or an addictive behavior. Historically, addiction was defined on a model of compulsive, maladaptive drug/alcohol use. The repeated use of specific substance was thought to lead to patterns of maladaptive behavior and to physiological changes in the body. Excessive substance use that developed into a persistent pattern of destructive behavior that led to physiological dependence was called substance dependence or addiction, substance dependence involve the development of tolerance to the substance—meaning that the user requires increasing doses of a drug in order to attain the desired effect or high. It was also thought to involve withdrawal in which the substance—using individuals experience uncomfortable and at times harmful symptoms when they reduce or increase their intake of the drug.

More recently, the notions of addiction have been expanded to include a variety of compulsive behaviors, including gambling, eating disorders, sexual addictions, and shopping. While there has been some controversy over whether these behaviors can be considered to be addictions—since physical/ chemical addition is absent it has been found the behaviors themselves can lead to physiological changes.

This, addiction is defined as the compulsive need to engage in and the ability to control certain behaviors despite their destructive consequence.

Criteria for Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence

Not everyone who tried drugs or regularly use drugs are dependent, some abuse substance. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV the criteria are:

Criteria for Substance Abuse

A. A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a twelve (12) month period:

1. recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home (e.g. repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household). 2. recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g. driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use). 3. recurrent substance related legal problems (e.g. arrests for substance—related disorderly conduct). 4. continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g. arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights.

B. The symptoms have never met the criteria for substance dependency for this class of substance.

Criteria for Substance Dependence

A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (3) or more of the following, occurring at any time in the same twelve (12) month period:

1. Tolerance—defined by either of the following: a) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effects, b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.

2. Withdrawal—as manifested by either of the following: a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to criteria A and B of the criteria sets for withdrawal from the specific substance, b) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

3. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over longer period than was intended.

4. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.

5. A great deal of time is spent in activities5. necessary to obtain the substance (e.g. chain smoking), or recover from its effects.

6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.

7. The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance. (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine—induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption)

Criteria for Substance Withdrawal

A. The development of a substance—specific syndrome due to the cessation of (or reduction in substance use that has been heavy and prolonged)

B. The substance—specific syndrome causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

C. The symptoms are not due to a general medical condition and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.

Work Performance may decline and you may be absent from work more often.

School Academic performance and motivation to do well in school may suffer

Legal Stealing to support your drug addiction or driving while impaired are just two (2) of the potential legal problems drug addiction can bring

Chapter Two

CHEMICAL/DRUG ADDICTION

Drug and alcohol is the oldest and most thoroughly researched area in the addictions. Drug use crosses the line to drug addiction when you feel you have to have the drug, and you increase the amount of dosage you take. Various factors such as your personality, your genetic makeup and peer pressure affect the likelihood of becoming addicted to a drug. In addition, some drugs such as cocaine and heroin produce a physical addiction more quickly than some other drugs.

The Risk Factors—

Personality If you show signs of passive-aggressiveness, dependence or in security, you are more likely to begin overusing drugs.

Social environment Particularly for young people, peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and abuse drugs

Stress, depression Using drugs can become a way of reacting to these and loneliness psychological feelings

Genetics D2 Gene has been identified as a specific gene involved in drug addiction

Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of—drug alters reward pathways in your brain. This involves the addicting drug causing physical changes to sore nerve cells (neurons) in your brain neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. Neurons release neurotransmitters into the gaps (synapses) between nerve cells and are received by receptors on other neurons and on their own cell bodies. The change to this communication process that occurs varies with the type of...